Rangers fans have been clamping ex-Celtic striker John Hartson for ridiculous comments about Ibrox gaffer Giovanni van Bronckhorst ahead of the Premier Sports Cup Final.
The Dutchman watched on from the stands of Hampden as the Gers crashed to a demoralising 3-1 Hampden defeat against Hibs in the semi-final of the competition.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst would then be criticised in the press for not intervening and making managerial adjustments to win the game at half time.
That’s despite the fact this would’ve been a breach of work permit regulations and could’ve seen the Gers boss kick off his reign as manager with a punishment for breaching rules.
Gio didn’t get the necessary paperwork to begin life as Ibrox gaffer until the next morning and the suggestion otherwise is patently false.
But that hasn’t stopped Big Bad John Hartson peddling this myth once again to take a jab at Gio ahead of the tournament’s final.
John Hartson makes Shaun Maloney Rangers manager claim
Celtic are set to play Hibs in the final of the tournament this weekend and similarly to the situation with Rangers at Hampden, the Hibees enter the game managerless.
However, reports are now suggesting ex-Celtic forward and Belgium international team coach Shaun Maloney is set to take over at Easter Road [Scottish Sun].
John Hartson – naturally – took the opportunity, and the notion Maloney will be in charge by the weekend, as a chance to take a cheap hit at Rangers and van Bronckhorst.
“Everybody thought that Celtic would be playing Rangers in the cup final,” John Hartston told the GO Radio Football Show.
“You look at Van Bronckhorst and he came and sat in his seat up in the stand. Hindsight is a great thing.
“If he had gone in the dressing room, if he had acted as manager that day it might well have been different.
“It might not, but we won’t know.
“So I think if Shaun Maloney is named manager by the weekend he will want to take charge.”
Rangers fans have been left unimpressed by the comments and took to social media to criticise John Hartson for his clueless take on the situation:
https://twitter.com/giovansouness/status/1470830364499320843
https://twitter.com/kevshenton/status/1470860613643653124
https://twitter.com/RFC5572/status/1470828876804857867
https://twitter.com/BenBaker___/status/1470880693836152832
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has gone on to have a bright start to life at Ibrox, with the manager winning five and drawing one of his opening six matches.
The Ibrox gaffer has also been discussing the Europa League draw v Borussia Dortmund as the German side’s boss also gives his verdict on Gers fans.
